roadwise.Open study app

Ohio driving lesson · Emergencies & Crashes

Vehicle malfunctions

A 3-minute lesson from the Ohio course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Emergencies & Crashes
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
43

Brakes, accelerators, tires and engines can fail without warning. Following the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual lowers the odds, and knowing each procedure lets you act calmly if it happens.

Brake failure:

  • Use the parking brake — pull the handle or push the pedal slowly so you don't lock the rear wheels and skid
  • If that fails, turn off the engine, pull off the road, and turn on emergency flashers
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Stuck accelerator:

  • Turn on emergency flashers, shift to NEUTRAL, and look for an escape route
  • Steer smoothly, brake gradually, and pull off the road
  • Shift to PARK and turn off the engine
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

Tire blowout: a front blowout pulls the car sharply toward the blown tire; a rear blowout makes the car wobble, shake and pull somewhat toward it.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

If a tire blows out:

  • Grip the wheel firmly and keep the vehicle going straight
  • Don't brake — slow down gradually
  • Pull off the road in a safe place and turn on hazard lights
  • Shift to PARK and turn off the engine
Handbook p. 43 ↗
Tire icon (blowout)
Tire warning

Power failure (engine shuts off while driving):

  • Keep a strong grip — the wheel may be hard to turn, but you can turn it
  • Brake with steady pressure, slow down, and pull off the road
  • Shift to PARK and try to restart; if it won't, raise the hood and turn on flashers
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Vehicle breakdown:

  • Get the vehicle off the road and away from traffic, if possible
  • Turn on emergency flashers to show the vehicle is disabled
  • If possible, place emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle
  • Stay in your vehicle until help arrives
Handbook p. 43 ↗
200–300 feet

How far behind a broken-down vehicle to place emergency flares

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Put it into practice

On the highway your accelerator sticks and the car keeps speeding up. Hit the flashers, shift to neutral, find a safe spot, steer smoothly and brake gradually to the shoulder, then shift to park and shut off the engine.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

If your brakes fail while driving, what is the first thing you should try?
  1. Turn off the engine immediately
  2. Shift into neutral
  3. Shift into park
  4. Use the parking brake slowly

Answer: Use the parking brake slowly

If your brakes fail, use the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and causing a skid.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
If your accelerator sticks and the vehicle won't slow down, what should you do first?
  1. Turn on flashers and shift to neutral
  2. Turn off the engine immediately while moving
  3. Pump the brakes rapidly
  4. Steer off the road at full speed

Answer: Turn on flashers and shift to neutral

Turn on your emergency flashers, shift to neutral, and search for an escape route.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
What should you do if a front tire blows out while driving?
  1. Brake hard immediately
  2. Grip the wheel, don't brake, slow gradually
  3. Accelerate to maintain control
  4. Let go of the wheel to let it correct itself

Answer: Grip the wheel, don't brake, slow gradually

In a blowout, grip the wheel firmly, avoid braking, and slow down gradually before pulling off the road.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
About how far behind a broken-down vehicle should you place emergency flares, if you have them?
  1. 50 to 100 feet
  2. 500 to 600 feet
  3. 200 to 300 feet
  4. 10 to 20 feet

Answer: 200 to 300 feet

Place emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle to alert approaching drivers.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
If your vehicle breaks down, you should exit immediately and wait outside near traffic for help.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

The handbook advises staying in your vehicle until help arrives after a breakdown, not waiting outside near traffic.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
After shifting to neutral with a stuck accelerator, what should you do next, before stopping?
  1. Steer smoothly and brake gradually off the roadway
  2. Turn off the engine immediately while still moving
  3. Shift back into drive to test the accelerator
  4. Pump the accelerator to clear it

Answer: Steer smoothly and brake gradually off the roadway

After shifting to neutral, steer smoothly and brake gradually to pull off the roadway before shifting to park.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Emergencies & Crashes

All Ohio lessons